LFW Diary

Monday, 21 Feb

14.05 Arrive at Erdem and enter University of Westminster at the same time as Natalie Massenet, from Net a Porter, who is wearing a peach blouse buttoned to the neck and white boucle crepe skirt from of the moment label, Carven.

Walking to my seat I spot Olivia Palermo, Jacquetta wheeler, Susie Bubble, Alexa Chung and Yasmin le Bon. Get serious bag envy when I see Yasmin's vintage crocodile ladylike box bag. Anna Wintour graces the hall with her presence, wearing a Burberry trench, but slips back stage to talk shop with the man of the moment.

14.30 The models appear. Lots of signature florals in muted abstract prints and texture; blood red velvet, floral print sequin, webbed overlays and of course lace. The floral printed trench immediately goes on my wish list.

17. 30 at the Strand Palace hotel the Fabryan show still hasn't started...worried I won't make it to Rupert Sanderson

17. 40 Show begins. Lots of sexy fitted dresses with exposed zips in a simple palette of black and purple. Perfect for after dark escapades.

18. 40 Arrive at Rupert Sanderson showrooms to find I am week early! I curse my lack of attention to diary entry detail but am soon distracted by the heavenly shoes in the Bruton St store.

Tuesday, 22 Feb

11.55 Arrive late for Aquascutum and disappointingly they are on time.I enter the stark white corridor of the Bloomsbury Ballroom and stand at the back

Loved the coat focused collection; it has that instantly wearable feel that Phoebe Philo gave Celine. The new creative director, Joanna Sykes, has definitely put new life into the heritage brand - one to watch.

Lots of camel and stone accented by orange and navy. The fur-trimmed coats are to dye for. On the front row I spot the fashion and beauty director of Harrods, Marigay Mckee and wonder what is on her wish list.

Wednesday 23 Feb

12.30 I skip the MAN show to pick up a dress for a client from designer Omar Mansoor and catch up on his fashion week. The press tent is full of bloggers on laptops all in rows like battery hens. I raid the fridge for chocolate and vitamin water to keep me going, grab LFW Daily and head to opera house for e.tautz.

13.45 Its raining and we are held outside. As the most stylishly tailored men in London encircle me, I make a mental note to ditch the fold up umbrella for a golf umbrella, the Swaine Adeney Brigg kind.

The first few guests are allowed through but as the editor of Business of Fashion, Imran Amed steps out to cross the thresh hold, he is pushed out of the way by a burly security guard as fashion gets feisty. Press has something to answer for with the poor crowd control.

The crush room is spectacularly ornate, complete with chandeliers. The perfect place for an all-British heritage brand. On the front row I spot the Director for Lobbs shoes who supplied the shoes for the collection and Tom Stubbs, Dermot O’Leary’s stylist from X factor and Imran now safely in his seat.

14.00 Patrick Grant, the brains behind the revival of the Saville Row brand, gives a short presentation on the brands ethos (simple menswear, hand made using the best fabric mills in Britain) before the piano cuts in and the men take the walk in a collection that is 60's sportswear balanced with military details in bold block colours inspired by the isle of mull on a sunny day. When I see the final model in a saffron cashmere pea coat, I have a brief moment of wishing I was a man.

14.55 From Saville Row to Shoreditch. In total contrast to e.tautz the crowd at Lou Dalton is edgy east end. Moppy hairstyles and tailoring are replaced with quiffed and closely shaven styles and skinny jeans. Chatter revolves around The Only Way is Essex and last nights debauchery.

15.15 Back in the crush room, I sit next to Lou's parents who are brimming with pride. The collection is youthful with a grungy element, lots of loose tailoring mixed with oversized jumpers and beanies. LOVED the mohair jumpers.

15.45 As I hit the pavement of Covent Garden, inspired by all things masculine, I head to COS to update my wardrobe with some much needed tailoring.